Properties of Wave Pulses and Waves - AP Physics 2

Temperature and medium properties. Sound speed increases with temperature in gases.

$f = \frac{1}{T}$. Frequency and period are reciprocals.

Change in wave direction when it enters a different medium. Speed and direction change at medium boundaries.

A wave with oscillations parallel to wave direction. Sound waves are the primary example.

Meters per second (m/s). Distance traveled per unit time.

The number of waves passing a point per second. Measured in cycles per second or Hertz.

Meters (m). Distance unit in the metric system.

A point of zero amplitude in a standing wave. Created by interference between incident and reflected waves.

The time for one complete cycle of the wave. Measured in seconds for one oscillation.

$v = 10 \text{ m/s}$. Using $v = f\lambda = 5 \times 2$.

A line of points in phase with each other. Represents wave's advancing edge or crest.

Hertz (Hz). Named after Heinrich Hertz, equals cycles per second.

Mechanical wave. Sound waves and water waves are examples.

A single disturbance that moves through a medium. Unlike periodic waves, it's a one-time disturbance.

$T = \frac{1}{f}$. Period and frequency are reciprocals.

$v = 2 \text{ m/s}$. Using $v = \lambda/T = 4/2$.

$f = 4 \text{ Hz}$. Using $f = 1/T = 1/0.25$.

Waves bounce back when they hit a boundary. Angle of incidence equals angle of reflection.

$\lambda = 0.5 \text{ m}$. Using $v = f\lambda$, so $\lambda = v/f = 340/680$.

A pulse is a single disturbance; a periodic wave is a continuous disturbance. Pulse is single event, periodic wave repeats.

In a longitudinal wave, it is a region of high pressure. Particles are squeezed together in this region.

Amplification of a wave when frequency matches natural frequency of the system. Natural frequency matching creates maximum amplitude response.

$v = f \lambda$. Fundamental wave relationship for all wave types.

When waves subtract to make a smaller amplitude. Waves out of phase create cancellation.

When waves add up to make a larger amplitude. Waves in phase create reinforcement.

Electromagnetic wave. Light waves can travel through vacuum.

Wavelength. Greek letter lambda denotes this wave property.

$v = f \lambda$. Speed equals frequency times wavelength.

The distance between two consecutive crests or troughs. One complete cycle measures this distance.